Psalms 27

1 Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— whom shall I dread?

A Psalm of David, before he was sealed. The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the protector of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When the wicked came upon me to devour my flesh, my enemies and foes stumbled and fell.

Meanwhile, the guilty draw near to me, so as to eat my flesh. Those who trouble me, my enemies, have themselves been weakened and have fallen.

3 Though an army encamps around me, my heart will not fear; though a war breaks out against me, I will keep my trust.

If entrenched armies were to stand together against me, my heart would not fear. If a battle were to rise up against me, I would have hope in this.

4 One thing I have asked of the LORD; this is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and seek Him in His temple.

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this I will seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, so that I may behold the delight of the Lord, and may visit his temple.

5 For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; He will conceal me under the cover of His tent; He will set me high upon a rock.

For he has hidden me in his tabernacle. In the day of evils, he has protected me in the hidden place of his tabernacle.

6 Then my head will be held high above my enemies around me. At His tabernacle I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.

He has exalted me upon the rock, and now he has exalted my head above my enemies. I have circled around and offered a sacrifice of loud exclamation in his tabernacle. I will sing, and I will compose a psalm, to the Lord.

7 Hear, O LORD, my voice when I call; be merciful and answer me.

Hear my voice, O Lord, with which I have cried out to you. Have mercy on me, and hear me.

8 My heart said, “Seek His face.” Your face, O LORD, I will seek.

My heart has spoken to you; my face has sought you. I yearn for your face, O Lord.

9 Hide not Your face from me, nor turn away Your servant in anger. You have been my helper; do not leave me or forsake me, O God of my salvation.

Do not turn your face away from me. In your wrath, do not turn aside from your servant. Be my helper. Do not abandon me, and do not despise me, O God, my Savior.

10 Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.

For my father and my mother have left me behind, but the Lord has taken me up.

11 Teach me Your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path, because of my oppressors.

O Lord, establish a law for me in your way, and direct me in the right path, because of my enemies.

12 Do not hand me over to the will of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.

Do not surrender me to the souls of those who trouble me. For unjust witnesses have risen up against me, and iniquity has lied to itself.

13 Still I am certain to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.

14 Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!

Wait for the Lord, act manfully; and let your heart be strengthened, and remain with the Lord.